Method and system for transportation using a rail structure

• US 8,820,246 B2
• Filed: 12/16/2011
• Issued: 09/02/2014
• Est. Priority Date: 12/16/2011
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Sandor Wayne Shapery
• Original Assignee: Sandor Wayne Shapery
• Inventors: Shapery, Sandor Wayne, Hunter, Bradley
• Primary Examiner(s): KUHFUSS, ZACHARY L
• Application Number:
  US13/329,128
• Publication Number:
  US 20130152813A1
• Time in Patent Office: 991 Days
• Field of Search: 104/281, 104/286, 238/122, 238/145, 238/147, 238/149, 238/143, 238/150
• US Class Current: 104/286
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 13/003 Crossings; Points
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 13/04 Magnetic suspension or levitation for vehicles
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 2200/26 Rail vehicles
• CPC Class Codes: B61B 13/08 Sliding or levitation systems vehicles with air cushions between rails and vehicles B60V3/04
• CPC Class Codes: E01B 25/30 Tracks for magnetic suspension or levitation vehicles
• CPC Class Codes: E01B 25/34 Switches; Frogs; Crossings

Abstract

Methods and systems for transportation using a rail structure are disclosed. In one aspect, a track for use with at least one of a magnetic levitation vehicle and a rolling vehicle having one or more wheels is disclosed. The track includes a first head having a maximum lateral dimension, a second head having a maximum lateral dimension, and a connection portion extending between the first head and the second head. The first connection portion may have a maximum lateral dimension that is less than the maximum lateral dimension of the first head. The track may also include a base and a support extending between the second head and the base.

Claims

1. A track for use with at least one of a magnetic levitation vehicle and a rolling vehicle having one or more wheels, the track comprising:

a first head having a first lateral dimension;

a second head having a second lateral dimension;

a first connection portion extending between the first head and the second head and providing a path for a first source of magnetic flux through the first head and the second head, the first connection portion having a third lateral dimension that is less than the first lateral dimension of the first head;

a first support structure extending from the second head; and

a first base extending from the first support structure, wherein the first head, the connection portion, and the second head comprise a magnetizable material and are integrally formed, and wherein the first base and the first support structure comprise a non-magnetizable material.

2. The track of claim 1, wherein the third lateral dimension of the connection portion is less than the second lateral dimension of the second head.

3. The track of claim 2, wherein the second lateral dimension of the second head is greater than the first lateral dimension of the first head.

4. The track of claim 1, wherein the magnetizable material comprises at least one of steel and iron.

5. The track of claim 1, wherein the first head, the connection portion, and the second head comprise a magnetic material.

6. The track of claim 1, wherein the first head comprises an upper surface having a maximum lateral dimension sufficient to support a wheel of the rolling vehicle.

7. The track of claim 6, wherein the maximum lateral dimension of the upper surface is between 70 mm and 75 mm.

8. The track of claim 1, wherein a cross-sectional shape of the first head, the connection portion, and the second head is substantially polygonal.

9. The track of claim 1, wherein the first connection portion is tapered between the first head and the second head.

10. The track of claim 1, further comprising:

a third head having a fourth lateral dimension;

a fourth head having a fifth lateral dimension;

a second connection portion extending between the third head and the fourth head and providing a path for a second source of magnetic flux through the third head and the fourth head, the second connection portion having a sixth lateral dimension that is less than the fourth lateral dimension of the third head;

a second base, the second base being offset laterally from the first base; and

a second support extending between the fourth head and the second base.

11. A source of magnetic flux for use with a rail structure having a first head having a first lateral dimension, a second head having a second lateral dimension, and a connection portion extending between the first head and the second head and providing a path for the source of magnetic flux through the first head and the second head, the connection portion having a third lateral dimension that is less than the first lateral dimension of the first head and the second lateral dimension of the second head, wherein a first support structure extends from the second head, and a first base extends from the first support structure, wherein the first head, the connection portion, and the second head comprise a magnetizable material and are integrally formed, and wherein the first base and the first support structure comprise a non-magnetizable material, the source of magnetic flux comprising:

a first upper portion having a first polarity and a second upper portion having the first polarity, the first upper portion and the second upper portion being spaced apart to receive at least a portion of the first head therebetween, wherein the first upper portion is magnetically attracted to the first head by a force that is greater than a magnetic attraction force between the first upper portion and the connection portion; and

a first lower portion having a second polarity opposite of the first polarity, and a second lower portion having the second polarity, the first lower portion and the second lower portion being spaced apart to receive at least a portion of the second head therebetween, wherein the first lower portion is magnetically attracted to the second head by a force that is greater than a magnetic attraction force between the first lower portion and the connection portion.

12. The source of magnetic flux of claim 11, wherein the first upper portion comprises a surface oriented to face a first lateral facing surface of the first head, and wherein the second upper portion comprises a surface oriented to face a second lateral facing surface of the first head.

13. The source of magnetic flux of claim 11, wherein the first lower portion comprises a surface oriented to face a first lateral facing surface of the second head, and wherein the second lower portion comprises a surface oriented to face a second lateral facing surface of the second head.

14. The source of magnetic flux of claim 11, further comprising a controller configured to control a position of the source of magnetic flux relative to the rail structure.